On 13 and 14 December 2023, the participants of the Security Academy 2023/2024 gathered again before Christmas to meet with experts, visit a number of interesting places and discuss selected topics of foreign and security policy, as well as work in the Czech Television's domestic and foreign news services.
The first day started by meeting Ladislav Šticha, spokesperson of the Security Information Service with whom the participants discussed roles and competencies of the Service in relation to the whole intelligence system of the Czech Republic, but also other security institutions and international partners. Cooperation from both within the Czech Republic and on an international level was discussed, as well as the work of an spokesperson of the intelligence services, for which Ladislav Šticha was awarded several times.
For the second day the participants visited headquarters of the Czech Television in order to meet with Ivan Lukáš, David Miřejovský a Martin Řezníček. Our aim was to offer them an insight into working in the domestic and foreign editorial offices of a public service media outlet. The topics of the discussion revolved around the role of the Czech Television as a public television broadcaster, focusing on both home and foreign editorial offices. The more specific topics dealt with lessons learned from covering the news from Russia, China and Ukraine, development of media in Slovakia, but also (un)interest of the Czech audience towards foreign topics in general. The discussion was followed by a tour of the Czech Television newsroom, including the television studios.
Last but not least, the last meeting of the Security Academy this year took place in the office of the National Organised Crime Agency of the Criminal Police and Investigation Service Police of the Czech Republic. The lectures and follow-up debates focused on the functioning of the Agency, both within the country and in terms of international cooperation and international organised crime. After the discussion there was also a workshop based on an analytical exercise focusing on investigative techniques and critical abilities of the participants.
The student participants will now face the exam period at their universities. The programme will continue in February 2024 with further meetings and study visits. For the support of the Security Academy we would like to thank Pale Fire Capital.
Lucia Macháčková and Michael Murad
